Я, Робот

           Cutiesaidnothing,nordidanyotherrobot,butDonovanbecameawareofasuddenheighteningoftension.Thecold,staringeyesdeepenedtheircrimson,andCutieseemedstifferthanever.

           "Sacrilege,"hewhispered–voicemetallicwithemotion.

           DonovanfeltthefirstsuddentouchoffearasCutieapproached.Arobotcouldnotfeelanger–butCutie’seyeswereunreadable.

           "Iamsorry,Donovan,"saidtherobot,"butyoucannolongerstayhereafterthis.HenceforthPowellandyouarebarredfromthecontrolroomandtheengineroom."

           HishandgesturedquietlyandinamomenttworobotshadpinnedDonovan’sarmstohissides.

           Donovanhadtimeforonestartledgaspashefelthimselfliftedfromthefloorandcarriedupthestairsatapaceratherbetterthanacanter.

           GregoryPowellracedupanddowntheofficer’sroom,fisttightlyballed.HecastalookoffuriousfrustrationatthecloseddoorandscowledbitterlyatDonovan.

           "WhythedevildidyouhavetospitattheL-tube?"

           MikeDonovan,sunkdeepinhischair,slammedatitsarmssavagely."Whatdidyouexpectmetodowiththatelectrifiedscarecrow?I’mnotgoingtoknuckleundertoanydo-jiggerIputtogethermyself."

           "No,"camebacksourly,"buthereyouareintheofficer’sroomwithtworobotsstandingguardatthedoor.That’snotknucklingunder,isit?"

           Donovansnarled."WaittillwegetbacktoBase.Someone’sgoingtopayforthis.Thoserobotsmustobeyus.It’stheSecondLaw."